Macklemore Opens "Free Palestine" Tour in Dublin to Roaring Crowd

American rapper Macklemore began his "Free Palestine" concert tour in Dublin on Monday, promising to keep speaking out against Israel's war in Gaza. The tour was put together after he was dropped from Ed Sheeran's bill over remarks supporting Palestinians.

The Grammy-winning artist was met with a loud ovation at Dublin's 3Arena. Many in the crowd wore Palestinian flags, black, red and green football jerseys, and keffiyeh scarves sold by vendors outside the venue. Macklemore waved a Palestinian flag for much of his set.

"I am proud to stand here on stage in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We will continue to fight for collective liberation until our last breath," he told the audience.

He also addressed the events that led to his removal from Sheeran's US tour. Six weeks earlier, at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, he had used the phrase "Free Palestine" and criticized the Israeli government's actions in Gaza and the West Bank. "Six weeks ago, two words is all that it took," he said. He argued that the words are so threatening to some that they would rather silence them than face what they mean, adding that "somehow those words have become more controversial than the suffering that made them necessary."

The 13,000 tickets for the Dublin show sold out within minutes, and the crowd chanted "Free Free Palestine" throughout the night. Siobhan Lyons of Dublin, who came with her daughter, said: "We need a speaker for our time. It has to be somebody like that who can reach out to people. He made it feel so alive, and I've come out feeling I want to be part of something."

Several Irish acts who have criticized Israel's actions performed in support. They included Hozier, the rap group Kneecap and Beoga, one of the acts that left Sheeran's tour in solidarity with Macklemore. Palestinian singer Lina Makhoul and Palestinian American DJ Habibeats also played, while activists including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham spoke between sets.

Sheeran, one of the world's top-selling recording artists, has said that stadium owners at the remaining tour dates threatened to bar any further shows if Macklemore stayed on the bill.

Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel's assault on Gaza. The offensive was launched after Hamas-led fighters killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israeli officials deny that their actions in Gaza amount to genocide.

Macklemore has said the "Free Palestine" tour will move on to Paris and London this week, with US dates to be announced later.